National Republican., 1887-04-12
TOMB OF WASHINGTON.
How the Bodies of the First President
and Wife Were Transferred.

How the Bodies of the First President
and Wife Were Transferred.
In the March number Of Hdrper's Maga-
sino for 1859 there is an interesting account
Of the transfer in 1887 Of the bodies OF
George and Martha Washington from the
old to the new vault at Mount Vernon,
which we give, as 1t will interest every
reader of the NATIONAL REPUBLICAN:
The new tomb Of Washington Is in n So
cluded hollow at the upper entrance to the
deep.wooded dell, along the margin OF
which lies the pathway from the river.
The spacious vault is built OF brick, with an
arched roof. 1t is entirely overgrown with
shrubbery, brambles, and vines, which give
1t an antiquated appearance. Its iron door
opens into vestibule, also built OF brick,
In which, seen through a picketed iron gate,
stand two marble sarcophagi, containing
respectively, the remains OF Washington
and his wife. Over the vault door, upon
stone panel, are cut the words: 81 am the
resurrection and the life he that bclieveth
in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he
live.n The vestibule is twelve feei In
height. The gateway is 1anked by brick
palietere, surmounted by stone coping,
which cover gothic arch. Over this arch
is white marble tablet inscribed: "Wlthin
this inclosure rest the remains OF General
George Washington
The marble coflins in the vestbule were
made and presented by John Struthers, OF
Philadelphia, and VIM. Strickland, who
designed the sarcophaaus, Of the same city.
That OF Mrs. Washington isperfectly plain,
with a simple inscription. The other is
plain, except the lid, on which is repre-.
seDted, in relief, the American shield sus-
pended over the flag of the Union. The
latter is hung In festoons; and the whole is
surmounted. as aeort OF crest by an eagle
with open wings perched upon the superior
bar of the shield. Each coffin consists OF
an excavation from solid block Of Penn
sylvania marble.
This vault and inclosure were erected
many years ago, In pursuance OF instruc-
lions given In the following clause Of
WashiDgton's will: "The family vault at
Mt. Vernon requiring repairs, and being
improperly situated besides, desire that a
new one Of brick, and upon larger scale,
may be built at the foot Of what is called
the Vineyard inclosure, on the ground
which is marked out, In which my remains.
and those of my deceased relatives (now 10
the old vault), and such others Of my family
as may choose to be entombed there may be
deposited"
The old vault referred to was upon the
brow OF q declivity, in full view Of the
river, about 800 yards south OF the mansion,
on the left of the present pathway from the
tomb to the summer house on the edge OF
the lawn. IL is now In utter ruin. The
doorway is gone and the cavity Is partly
| filed with rubbish. Therein the remains
| OF Washington lay undisturbe2 for thirty
| years, when an attempt was made by some
| vandal to carry them away. The insecure
| old vault was entered and skull and some
bones were taken, but these comprised no
| part Of the remains Of the illustrious dead.
The robber was detected and the bones
| were recovered. The new vault was then
Immediately built, and all the faulty re.
mains were placed in 1t. Mr.. William
| Strickland, of Philadelphia, who desi yned
the composition on the lid of Washington's
coffin and accompanied Mr., Struthers when
the remains Of the patriot were placed ia
1t In 1887, has left a most interesting ac
count Of that event. On entering the vault
they found everything in confusion. The
decayed fragments Of coilins were scattered
| about, and bones OF various parts OF the
human body were seen promiscuously
thrown together. The decayed wood wa:
dripping with moisture. "The slimy snail
glistened In the light OF the door-opening
The brown centipede was disturbed by the
admission Of fresh air, and the moldy case;
of the dead gave pungent and unwhole-
some odor." The collins OF Washington
and his lady were in the deepest recess OF
i
wooden cases. When the sarcophagus ar
rived the coffin Of the chief was brough,
forth. The vault was first entered by Mr.
Strickland, accompanied by Maj. Lewis
(the last survivor Of the first executors Of
the will of Washington) and his son. Wher
the decayed wood and case were removed
the leaden lid was perceived to be sunker
and fractured. In the bottom Of the woo1er
case was found the silver coffin plate, IL
the form of a shield, which was placed upor
the leaden coffin when Washington wa
first entombed. cat the request OF Maj
Lewis" says Mr.. Strickland, "the fractured
part OF the lid was turned over on th,
lower part, exposing to view head ant
breast Of large dimensions, which appeared
by the dim light of the candles, t.
have suffered but little from the effects o
time. The eye-sockets were large and
deep, and the breadth across the temples
together with the forehead, appeared o.
unusual size. There was no appearance o
grave clothes. The chest was broad the colo
was dark, and had the appearance Of drlet
flesh and skin adhering closely to the bones
We saw no hair, nor was there any often
sive odor from the body, but we observed
outside OF the vault, the dripping down o
yellow liquid, which stained the marble
Of the sarcophagus. A hand was laid upoI
the head and instantly removed; the leader
lid was restored to its place; the body
raised by six men, was carried and lait
in the marble coffin, and the ponder
GUS cover being put on and set in ce
ment, it was sealed from our sight oi
Saturday, the 7th day Of October, 1887
The relatives who were present, consisting
Of Major Lewis, Lorenzo Lewis, Joht
Augustine Washington, George Washing
ton, the Rev. Mr.. johnson and lady, ant
Mrs. Jane Washington, then retired to tn
mansion"
On the east side Of the tomb, beneath nea
marble monuments, lie the remains Of Mrs
Eleanor Parke Lewis aud her daughter
Mrs. M. E. Conrad. The former was tn
granddaughter Of Mrs. Washington, an,
adopted daughter of the general. In from
OF the tomb are two stately obelisks G
marble. The one on the right commend
rates the eminent Judge Bushrod Washing
ton, nephew Of the general, who inherite
Mount Vernon; the one on the left, job
Augustine Washington, nephew Of tn
Judge, and father OF the present proprietc
Of the estate. These are all the famil
monuments that stand by the tomb Of I'll
.Natriot.
DIPHTHERIA, the mothers dread. Red ST.